Platform to success
National diver Pandelela Rinong wants to focus only on the 10m platform discipline for the three major assignments next year. “I will focus only on the 10m platform individual and synchro events for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in April, the Jakarta
SEPANG: National diver Pandelela Rinong wants to focus only on the 10m platform discipline for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in April and the Jakarta Asian Games in August next year.
“I will focus only on the 10m platform individual and synchro events for the three major assignments next year.
“Besides the Commonwealth Games and Asiad, I also hope to do well in the Diving World Cup (venue and dates not decided yet) next year.
“I have been coping with back and shoulder injuries this year, so it’s better for me not to strain my body.
“It’s all about managing my injuries and making sure I do not aggravate them.
“If I’m not fit, the doctors won’t allow me to take part,” said Pandelela, who returned home with a gold and a silver from the Australian Diving Grand Prix in Gold Coast yesterday.
The 24-year-old bagged gold in women’s 10m platform individual and silver in the synchro with Leong Mun Yee.
There was more good news for Pandelela after being appointed as Yakult’s sports icon yesterday. She will receive a trophy as well as sponsorship for the next 18 months.
“I’m honoured to be picked to be Yakult’s sport icon. It makes me more motivated to show everyone that I can achieve bigger wins in diving,” said the Sarawak-born diver, who is hoping to win her second Commonwealth Games gold medal when she returns to Gold Coast next April.
“Although the Chinese divers did not compete in my event, the conditions were not easy. It was very windy and the other Commonwealth divers gave me a tough fight.
“I’m happy with my win in Gold Coast. I want to prepare well to give my best again.”
Pandelela took the 10m platform individual gold and 10m platform synchro silver with Mun Yee in her Commonwealth Games debut in New Delhi, India, in 2010.
She failed to retain her title in Glasgow, Scotland, four years later – settling for silver behind Meaghan Benfeito of Canada in the 10m platform individual and bronze with Nur Dhabitah Sabri in the 10m platform synchro.